Wrong end of history

The Baseball Writers Association of America presented Felix Hernandez of the Mariners with the Cy Young award at a banquet in New York City Saturday night. Fernandez not only won the award with the fewest (13) wins in history, he …

The Baseball Writers Association of America presented Felix Hernandez of the Mariners with the Cy Young award at a banquet in New York City Saturday night. Fernandez not only won the award with the fewest (13) wins in history, he became the first pitcher from a 100-loss team to receive baseball’s most prestigious pitching prize. The following are the only pitchers since the inception of the Cy Young Award in 1956 to receive the plaque after playing on losing teams. They are ranked according to the team’s won-lost percentage.

Year

Cy Young Winner

Team

Record

Pct.

2010

Felix Hernandez (AL)

Mariners

61-101

.377

1972

Steve Carlton (NL)

Phillies

59-97

.378

2009

Zack Greinke (AL)

Royals

65-97

.401

1976

Randy Jones (NL)

Padres

69-93

.426

2008

Tim Lincecum (NL)

Giants

72-90

.444

1996

Pat Hentgen (AL)

Blue Jays

74-88

.457

1972

Gaylord Perry (AL)

Indians

72-84

.462

1970

Bob Gibson (NL)

Cardinals

76-86

.469

1997

Roger Clemens (AL)

Blue Jays

76-86

.469

2006

Brandon Webb (NL)

D-Backs

76-86

.469

1987

Roger Clemens (AL)

Red Sox

78-84

.481

1992

Gregg Maddux (NL)

Cubs

78-84

.481

1997

Pedro Martinez (NL)

Expos

78-84

.481

1979

Bruce Sutter (NL)

Cubs

80-82

.494

1987

Steve Bedrosian (NL)

Phillies

80-82

.494

*Note that Roger Clemens is the only pitcher to twice win the Cy Young Award while pitching for losing clubs.

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